Tonight’s GameThe Bruins visit the Predators tonight in the only game between these teams this season and the first game between these teams since Mar. 9, 2004 (a 3-2 Boston win in Nashville). The Bruins are 19-13-3 overall this season with an 8-6-2 record on the road. The Predators are 25-10-3 overall this season with an 11-2-3 record on home ice. The Bruins are 1-0-2 this season vs. Central Division teams and are 3-0-2 overall against Western Conference opponents. The Predators are 1-1-0 this season vs. Northeast Division teams and are 5-1-0 overall against Eastern Conference foes.

Lifetime SeriesThe Bruins are 6-3-1-1 lifetime vs. Nashville with a 30-22 scoring edge in those 11 games. On the road, the Bruins are 4-1-0-1 lifetime vs. the Predators with a 16-13 scoring advantage in those six contests. Tonight’s game is the first meeting between these teams since Mar. 9, 2004, a 3-2 Boston win in Nashville.

Recent Bruins GamesThe Bruins have taken points out of their last five games (4-0-1) and six of their last seven contests (5-1-1) with a 5-3 victory over New Jersey on Dec. 14, a 6-3 loss to Florida on Dec. 16, a 7-2 win in Ottawa on Dec. 19, a 2-0 victory vs. Vancouver on Dec. 21, a 4-2 win over Montreal on Dec. 23, a 5-4 overtime loss in Columbus on Dec. 26 and a 5-3 win in Chicago on Dec. 29. They are 10-4-1 in their last 15 games with a 15-6-1 mark over their last 22 contests.

Recent Predators GamesThe Predators had their three-game win streak stopped with a 4-1 loss in Dallas on Dec. 29. That followed a 7-0 win over Los Angeles on Dec. 23 and a 3-2 shootout win vs. St. Louis on Dec. 26. They are 8-3-0 in their last 11 games.

Upcoming Bruins GamesThe Bruins conclude their current four-game road trip in Toronto on Jan. 1 (7:00 p.m.; VERSUS). They will then return home to host Toronto on Jan. 4 (7:00 p.m., NESN) and Philadelphia on Jan. 6 (1:00 p.m.; NESN). All games are also broadcast on WBZ Radio.

Upcoming Predators GamesThe Predators will host Colorado on Jan. 1 and will then face the Blackhawks in Chicago on Jan. 5.

The Bruins have two players on the NHL All-Star ballot for the game to be played Jan. 24 in Dallas – Zdeno Chara and Patrice Bergeron…Fans can vote for their favorite Bruins through nhl.com.

The Players

6—Brad Stuart—D

Has 5-3=8 totals in his last 12 games with a goal Dec. 2 in Carolina; a 2-1=3 effort Dec. 4 in Montreal, which included the game-winning goal and matched his previous career-high for goals and points in a game; a goal Dec. 7 vs. Toronto; a 1-1=2 effort Dec. 14 vs. New Jersey; and an assist Dec. 26 in Columbus.

Had a three-game goal/point streak from Dec. 2-7 (4-1=5 totals).

Has missed five games to injury (5-finger, Oct. 26-Nov. 6).

11—P. J. Axelsson—LW

Has 1-2=3 totals in two of his last three games played with a shorthanded goal Nov. 30 vs. Tampa Bay and two assists Dec. 29 in Chicago.

Has played the last two games after missing ten games to injury.

Has 6-7=13 totals in his last 16 games.

Has five multiple-point games.

Had a three-game point streak from Oct. 28-Nov. 4 (3-3=6 totals).

2006-07 Shootout Stats: 0/1.

Played his 600th NHL game Oct. 26 vs. Montreal.

Has missed 11 games to injury (1-flu, Nov. 28; 10-foot, Dec. 2-23).

13—Stanislav Chistov—LW

Has 2-1=3 totals in his last three straight games with 2-2=4 totals in his last five games…Had an assist Dec. 19 in Ottawa; single goals each Dec. 23 vs. Montreal and Dec. 26 in Columbus; and an assist Dec. 29 in Chicago.

Played his first game as a Bruin Nov. 15 in Washington and recorded his first point as a Bruin with an assist in that game…Scored his first goal as a Bruin Nov. 22 in Pittsburgh.

Acquired Nov. 13 from Anaheim where he was scoreless in one game this season…Played his first NHL game of the season Nov. 6 vs. Toronto.

Had a three-game conditioning assignment in Portland/AHL from Oct. 31-Nov. 5 (1-0=1 totals).

Was Anaheim’s first pick, fifth overall, in the 2001 NHL Entry Draft…Returns to the NHL this season after playing the 2005-06 season in Russia…Has played two NHL seasons with Anaheim.

16—Marco Sturm—LW

Has 5-3=8 totals in six of his last seven games…Had an assist Dec. 14 vs. New Jersey; a goal Dec. 16 vs. Florida; his second career hat trick with three goals Dec. 19 in Ottawa; an assist Dec. 21 vs. Vancouver; a goal Dec. 23 vs. Montreal; and an assist Dec. 29 in Chicago.

Has 8-5=13 totals in his last 15 games and also scored the deciding goal in the 4-3 shootout win in Pittsburgh on Nov. 22 in that span.

Has two multiple-point games, including his second career hat trick scored Dec. 19 in Ottawa.

Had a five-game point streak from Dec. 14-23 (5-2=7 totals).

Took an unsuccessful penalty shot on Washington’s Brent Johnson on Nov. 18…It was his third career penalty shot (no goals).

2006-07 Shootout Stats: 2/4 (deciding goal Nov. 22 in Pittsburgh).

Has missed four games to injury (4-leg, Oct. 19-28).

17—Petr Tenkrat—RW

Has single goals each in two of his last eight games with 3-2=5 totals in his last 15 contests…Had a goal Nov. 25 in Toronto; single assists each Nov. 28 in Toronto (game-winning goal) and Dec. 4 in Montreal; and single goals each Dec. 12 in Montreal and Dec. 14 vs. New Jersey.

Scored his first goal as a Bruin in his first game as a Bruin Nov. 11 vs. Ottawa…It was his first NHL game since Apr. 14, 2002 with Nashville.

Recalled Nov. 11 from Providence/AHL where he had been assigned on Oct. 9…Had 2-7=9 totals with 6 PIM in seven AHL Bruins games.

2006-07 Shootout Stats: 0/1.

Has not dressed for two games (coach’s decision).

18—Mark Mowers—C

Has 1-2=3 totals in his last two straight games with two assists Dec. 26 in Columbus, which matched his previous career-high for assists and points in a game, and a shorthanded goal Dec. 29 in Chicago.

Has one multiple-point game.

Played his 200th NHL game Nov. 22 in Pittsburgh.

Played his first game as a Bruin Oct. 6 in Florida…Scored his first goal as a Bruin Nov. 2 vs. Buffalo.

Has missed two games to injury (2-shoulder, Oct. 21-26).

20—Wayne Primeau—C

Has 3-6=9 totals in seven of his last 14 games…Had single assists each Nov. 28 in Toronto and Dec. 2 in Carolina; a shorthanded goal Dec. 4 in Montreal; a 1-1=2 effort, including the game-winning goal, Dec. 7 vs. Toronto; two assists Dec. 14 vs. New Jersey; a goal Dec. 26 in Columbus; and an assist Dec. 29 in Chicago.

Has two multiple-point games.

Recorded his 100th NHL assist Dec. 2 in Carolina… Played his 600th NHL game Dec. 16 vs. Florida.

22—Shean Donovan—RW

Snapped a seven-game scoreless stretch with an assist Dec. 26 in Columbus.

Has 3-4=7 totals in his last 14 games.

Has two multiple-point games.

Played his 700th NHL game Oct. 7 in Tampa Bay…Recorded his 200th NHL point with a goal Nov. 28 in Toronto.

Played his first game as a Bruin Oct. 6 in Florida…Recorded his first point as a Bruin with an assist Oct. 7 in Tampa Bay.

23—Paul Mara—D

Has 1-2=3 totals in two of his last seven games with an assist Dec. 14 vs. New Jersey and a 1-1=2 effort, including his first goal as a Bruin, Dec. 19 in Ottawa.

Has three multiple-point games.

Had a four-game assist streak from Nov. 4-11 (0-6=6 totals).

Played his first game as a Bruin Oct. 6 in Florida…Recorded his first point as a Bruin with an assist on the game-winning goal Oct. 19 vs. Calgary…Scored his first goal as a Bruin Dec. 19 in Ottawa.

Has missed three games to injury (3-lower body, Nov. 30-Dec. 4).

25—Jason York—D

Has single assists each in four of his last 13 games, recorded Nov. 30 vs. Tampa Bay, Dec. 4 in Montreal (game-winning goal), Dec. 12 in Montreal and Dec. 16 vs. Florida.

Played his first game as a Bruin Oct. 6 in Florida…Recorded his first point as a Bruin with an assist Oct. 19 vs. Calgary.

Has missed 11 games to injury (10-knee, Nov. 4-24; 1-knee, Nov. 28).

26—Brad Boyes—C

Has 2-5=7 totals in five of his last seven games…Had a 1-2=3 effort Dec. 14 vs. New Jersey, which matched his career-high for points in a game; single assists each Dec. 16 vs. Florida, Dec. 19 in Ottawa and Dec. 23 vs. Montreal; and a goal Dec. 26 in Columbus.

Has a six-game point streak in progress with 5-3=8 totals in that span…Scored two goals Dec. 16 vs. Florida which included his 600th NHL point; a 1-1=2 effort Dec. 19 in Ottawa; a goal Dec. 21 vs. Vancouver; single assists each Dec. 23 vs. Montreal (game-winning goal) and Dec. 26 in Columbus; and a goal Dec. 29 in Chicago.

Has 11-6=17 totals in his last 19 games.

Has eight multiple-point games with his season-highs 1-2=3 efforts each Nov. 4 vs. Tampa Bay and Nov. 18 vs. Washington.

2006-07 Shootout Stats: 0/2.

Played his 900th NHL game Nov. 9 vs. Toronto…Scored his 300th NHL goal with the second of two goals Nov. 11 vs. Ottawa…Recorded his 600th NHL point with the first of two goals Dec. 16 vs. Florida.

Is 5-1-1 in his last seven starts with a 5-3 win vs. New Jersey on Dec. 14, a 6-3 loss to Florida on Dec. 16;, a 7-2 victory in Ottawa on Dec. 19; his second career shutout in a 2-0 win vs. Vancouver on Dec. 21; a 4-2 win vs. Montreal on Dec. 23; a 5-4 overtime loss in Columbus on Dec. 26; and a 5-3 win in Chicago on Dec. 29.

Is 10-3-1 in his last 14 starts and is 17-6-2 in his last 25 decisions.

Dressed as backup Dec. 12 in Montreal, snapping his career-best consecutive games played stretch at 21…His previous career-high in that category was 18 games from Jan. 10-Mar. 1, 2006.

Recorded his second career shutout with a 2-0 win vs. Vancouver on Dec. 21 (39 saves).

Had a four-game win streak from Nov. 11-18, which is the longest such streak of his career.

2006-07 Shootout Stats: 3-2 (4 goals/20 shots).

Was the NHL’s Number Three Star for the week of Nov. 12-18 with a 3-0-0 record and 1.60 GAA in three games.

Was the NHL’s Number One Star for the week of Dec. 18-24 with a 3-0-0 record and 1.33 GAA in three games.

Has dressed as backup for five games.

32—Jeff Hoggan—LW

Has played the last ten Boston games in two recalls from Providence/AHL (Dec. 3-5 and Dec. 6-present)…Had an assist Dec. 19 in Ottawa.

Had been assigned to Providence on Nov. 11…Had three assists with 5 PIM and a +4 rating in four AHL Bruins games.

Began the season in Boston with one assist in 13 games…Played his first game as a Bruin Oct. 6 at Florida…Recorded his first point as a Bruin with an assist Nov. 2 vs. Buffalo.

Has a ten-game point streak in progress with 6-11=17 totals in that span…That is a new career-best point streak, besting a nine-game streak he had earlier this season from Nov. 16-Dec. 2.

Had a goal Dec. 7 vs. Toronto; single assists each Dec. 9 vs. New Jersey and Dec. 12 in Montreal; two goals Dec. 14 vs. New Jersey; two assists Dec. 16 vs. Florida; a career-high for assists and points in a game with five assists Dec. 19 in Ottawa; the game-winning goal Dec. 21 vs. Vancouver; an assist Dec. 23 vs. Montreal; 1-1=2 totals Dec. 26 in Columbus and the game-winning goal Dec. 29 in Chicago.

Has 8-21=29 totals in 19 of his last 20 games with 11-25=36 totals in 24 of his last 26 games…Also scored the deciding shootout goal in the 3-2 win in Washington on Nov. 15 during that span.

Has ten multiple-point games with his season-high a five-assist effort Dec. 19 in Ottawa which was a career-high for assists and points in a game.

Had a three-game assist/point streak from Oct. 19-26 (0-4=4 totals).

Had a five-game point streak from Nov. 2-11 (3-4=7 totals).

Had a nine-game point streak from Nov. 16-Dec. 2 (2-10=12 totals).

Factored into four straight game-winning goals from Nov. 11-18, scoring two game-winners (one in overtime), the deciding goal in a shootout win and an overtime assist.

2006-07 Shootout Stats: 2/5 (deciding goal Nov. 15 in Washington).

Was named an Assistant Captain of the team on Oct. 3, 2006.

41—Andrew Alberts—D

Has single assists each in two of his last three games, recorded Dec. 23 vs. Montreal and Dec. 26 in Columbus.

Played his 100th NHL game Dec. 16 vs. Florida.

Has missed three games to injury (3-shoulder, Oct. 21-28).

43—Yan Stastny—C

ROOKIE.

Has not dressed for the last two games.

Had played in the previous six games since his Dec. 11 recall from Providence/AHL for the fourth time this season…Had five assists in seven AHL Bruins games.

Began the season in Boston with an assist Nov. 11 vs. Ottawa while playing in 11 games before his Nov. 13 assignment to Providence…Was also recalled on Nov. 16 and Nov. 22-23, but did not dress for two games during those recalls.

Has not dressed for seven games (coach’s decision).

54—Hannu Toivonen—G

Has dressed as backup for the last seven games after playing in two straight games for the first time since he played in three straight from Oct. 14-21.

Did not earn a decision in the 5-1 loss to New Jersey on Dec. 9, allowing three goals in 40 minutes in relief of Tim Thomas, in his first NHL action since Nov. 4 vs. Tampa Bay…Took the 4-3 loss in Montreal on Dec. 12.

Has had two stints in Providence/AHL this season, from Nov. 7-26 and Dec. 9-11…Is 2-4-0 with a 3.05 GAA in six AHL Bruins games this year.

His last Boston win was a 3-2 victory over Calgary on Oct. 19.

Has dressed as backup for 17 games.

68—Milan Jurcina—D

Has single goals each in two of his last three games, scored Dec. 23 vs. Montreal (game-winning goal) and Dec. 29 in Chicago.

Has missed three games to injury (3-elbow, Oct. 6-11).

Has not dressed for six games (coach’s decision).

81—Phil Kessel—C/W

ROOKIE.

Has missed the last eight games following Dec. 11 cancer surgery.

Snapped an eight-game scoreless stretch with an assist Dec. 4 in Montreal.

Scored the deciding shootout goal in the 4-3 win vs. Tampa Bay on Nov. 30…It was the lone goal in 14 shootout attempts by both teams.

2006-07 Shootout Stats: 1/1.

Played his first NHL game Oct. 6 in Florida…Recorded his first NHL point with an assist Oct. 7 in Tampa Bay…Scored his first NHL goal Oct. 21 vs. Buffalo.

Has 6-10=16 totals in eight of his last nine games…Scored a goal Dec. 9 vs. New Jersey; a 2-1=3 effort Dec. 12 in Montreal with both goals in that game coming on the power play; single assists each Dec. 14 vs. New Jersey and Dec. 16 vs. Florida; a 2-2=4 effort, including the game-winning goal, Dec. 19 in Ottawa; two assist nights each Dec. 21 vs. Vancouver and Dec. 23 vs. Montreal; and a 1-1=2 effort Dec. 29 in Chicago.

Has 7-20=27 totals in his last 19 games with 11-30=41 totals in his last 27 contests.

Has 12 multiple-point games with his season-high a 2-3=5 effort Nov. 4 vs. Tampa Bay which matched his previous career-high for points in a game.

Had a four-game point streak from Oct. 12-21 (1-4=5 totals).

Had a five-game point streak from Nov. 18-25 (1-6=7 totals).

Has had two seven-game point streaks - from Oct. 28-Nov. 15 (4-10=14 totals) and Dec. 9-23 (5-9=14 totals).

Played his first game as a Bruin Oct. 6 in Florida with his first point as a Bruin an assist in that game…Scored his first goal as a Bruin Oct. 12 in St. Louis.

2006-07 Shootout Stats: 0/2.

Was the NHL’s Number One Star for the week of Oct. 29-Nov. 4 with 3-5=8 totals in two games.